More peonies. These are the Performance variety that turn pale pink after a few days.
Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you have had a joyful week. Can you believe that today is the last day of May?
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This week's devotion is entitled "kindling grace" because the main point of the lesson is how "grief (or trouble) and grace kindle us to the very same flame of gratitude to God." I think we have all experienced this truth as we've walked with God. It's the Charles Spurgeon quote about the mercies of health and illness, how there "is no better thing to have a trouble, and know how to get grace enough to bear it," that sums-up this lesson perfectly.
I even enjoyed the imagery of the falling, flaming autumn leaves as "pure flame."
Here is this week's scripture:
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,and he delivered them from their distress.He led them by a straight wayto a city where they could settle.Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing loveand his wonderful deeds for mankind.~Psalm 107:6-8
- Rita asks for us to pray for her younger daughter's relationship struggles, and that she will listen to God's spirit within to make the right decisions.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job. AI has taken away many jobs in his industry. Mike might have the opportunity to redo a game with a friends. Let's pray that this works out for him, and it will lead to more opportunities.
- Please continue to pray for our military and military families.
- Continue to pray for Carla's son Sam and the 157th! Sam is in Louisiana training. Let's pray that God will help him adjust to the heat and humidity, and avoid the alligators!
- Please continue to pray for Shanley Belle as she meets with geneticists and physicians. The information has been overwhelming for her and Christopher.
- Pray for Nana Diana's husband, John. He is being admitted into Mayo Clinic, and we need to pray for discernment and guidance for his medical team.
- Praise to God for allowing us to live during this time in the greatest Republic the world has ever known.
I'm sipping tea this morning. I feel like I need something with lower acidity than my usual coffee.
I'm off to draw something fun in the art studio.
What are your plans for the day?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Memorial Day, Friends! I hope you've had a happy and meaningful Memorial Day Weekend.
Friends, as you know the five-pointed star is the traditional star for our Republic's flag and nation. However, there are cities and states throughout our country that are adopting flags with the eight pointed star, which is a prominent symbol of Islam. I wanted to make you aware of this travesty, Friends.
This week's lesson is entitled "kindling grace." I will read it in Birmingham tomorrow morning, so I have no idea what it's about other than the hint from scripture.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,and he delivered them from their distress.He led them by a straight wayto a city where they could settle.Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing loveand his wonderful deeds for mankind.Psalm 107:6-8
I'm recycling this graphic of Psalm 107:8
:D
Prayer Requests
- Rita asks for us to pray for her younger daughter's relationship struggles, and that she will listen to God's spirit within to make the right decisions.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job. AI has taken away many jobs in his industry. Mike might have the opportunity to redo a game with a friends. Let's pray that this works out for him, and it will lead to more opportunities.
- Please continue to pray for our military and military families.
- Continue to pray for Carla's son Sam and the 157th! Sam is in Louisiana training. Let's pray that God will help him adjust to the heat and humidity.
- Please continue to pray for Shanley Belle as she meets with geneticists and physicians. The information has been overwhelming for her and Christopher.
- Praise to God for allowing us to live during this time in the greatest Republic the world has ever known.
I'm off to watch the stillness of the lake without boats and drink strong dark roast coffee (it's early, y'all).
It has been a busy boating weekend!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! Do you have any special plans for Memorial Day Weekend? We plan to go to the lake and relax!
This week's devotion is entitled:
This is one of my favorite devotions so far. I love how Ann takes the sweetest quote from her daughter: "Why is there all this loveliness?" The lesson is so needed because we tend to question the opposite, don't we? It's important for me as an artist to remember that there is a biblical standard for beauty and loveliness. In this upside down world depravity and ugliness is pushed in our very faces, and we are told that it is lovely. We are told not to believe our lying eyes.
The lesson's primary focus is the questioning of why God allows so much evil, of blaming him. I'd rather praise him for the beauty, for how he shares his goodness. As Father God is described in the lesson, He is a Giver.
Thoughts?
Here is this week's scripture:
I also had a graphic made of Romans 1:21 from the NIV:
Prayer Requests
- Rita asks for us to pray for her younger daughter's relationship struggles, and that she will listen to God's spirit within to make the right decisions.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job. AI has taken away many jobs in his industry. Mike might have the opportunity to redo a game with a friends. Let's pray that this works out for him, and it will lead to more opportunities.
- Please continue to pray for our military and military families.
- Continue to pray for Carla's son Sam and the 157th! Sam is in Louisiana training. Let's pray that God will help him adjust to the heat and humidity.
- Pray for a safe, happy, and meaningful Memorial Day for our nation.
I'm making a pour-over coffee this morning. I'm getting the hang of it, and I like making coffee this way!
Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Monday, Friends! Did you have a wonderful Pentecost Sunday? We did! I meant to share the following prayer with y'all Friday, but I forgot.
This week's lesson is entitled "lovely grace." I liked this one, and I'll explain why on Friday.
Below is this week's scripture:
Prayer Requests:
- Rita asks for us to pray for her younger daughter's relationship struggles, and that she will listen to God's spirit within to make the right decisions.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job. AI has taken away many jobs in his industry. Mike might have the opportunity to redo a game with a friends. Let's pray that this works out for him, and it will lead to more opportunities.
- Praise for Kitty's SIL Eric: His surgical redo went well, and he starts his new job today! Thank-you for praying, friends!
- Please continue to pray for our military and military families.
- Continue to pray for Carla's son Sam and the 157th! UPDATE: Sam will be leaving for training in Louisiana May 23rd (Thursday) for 5 weeks.
- Pray for leadership in our country, leaders who will care about America and Americans above global interests.
- PRAISE: Shanley Belle and Christopher are safe at home in Ann Arbor, and Shanley was pleased with her presentation. Thank y'all so VERY MUCH for your prayers!
Have some coffee, and read your devo!
Be a blessing to those in your circle this week.
Y'all are certainly blessings to me!
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Today's theme is brought to you by:
PEONIES!
Happy Friday, Friends! How has your week been so far? Mine has definitely had ups and downs, but deep down I know how blessed we are just for what Christ has done for us!
The title of today's lesson is "standing grace." The main point of this devotion is how our daily attitude of praise (think doxology) and encouragement prevents discouragement and conflict. Ann actually uses the word "grumbling," and that leads to discouragement and conflict in our homes. I loved the metaphor of the sandcastle, and how it applies to the lesson.
I'm grateful that I read this lesson early Monday morning. I put this lesson into practice especially after receiving disheartening news. I praise God that I had the visual of the sandcastle with the boys cooperating and encouraging each other.
I want this constant praise of God and encouragement of others to be so ingrained in me that it's second nature. That is my hope and prayer.
What about you? Thoughts?
This week's scripture
Prayer Requests
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job. AI has taken away many jobs in his industry. Mike might have the opportunity to redo a game with a friends. Let's pray that this works out for him, and it will lead to more opportunities.
- Pray for Kitty's SIL Eric: one of Eric’s circuits was not closed. The surgeon says that this has never happened before and so he has to go back yet again Thursday and get another incision to connect the circuit so that he all can be programmed. UPDATE FROM KITTY: Eric got a job!! Hallelujah! Thank for praying, friends!
- Please continue to pray for our military and military families.
- Continue to pray for Carla's son Sam and the 157th! UPDATE: Sam will be leaving for training in Louisiana May 23rd for 5 weeks. That's next Thursday!
- Pray for leadership in our country, leaders who will care about America and Americans above global interests.
- Also, let's pray for Christian leadership on college campuses. Pray that evil intent with the demonstrations will be thwarted.
- Please continue pray for our daughter Shanley Belle. She and Christopher are in Austin (University of Texas) for a conference. Shanley will be presenting her research tomorrow. Please pray that she will be calm before, during, and after, and that she and Christopher will be able to enjoy Austin during free time. Pray for travel mercies when they head home to Ann Arbor.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Monday, My Lovelies! I hope y'all had a blessed weekend and a Happy Mother's Day! I spent the weekend at Lake Martin with Trip and the pups, and it was so nice. It was unseasonably cool, so we didn't spend much time on the boat, but we did spend a lot of time on our upper porch in the trees, relaxing, reading, and watching baseball. We've returned home to a gentle rain which is the perfect day to do laundry. Lots and lots of laundry! ;D
What did y'all do over the weekend?
This week's lesson is entitled "standing grace," and I think it's one of Ann's better devotions. I hope you like it as much as I do!
Here is this week's scripture:
Prayer Requests
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job. AI has taken away many jobs in his industry. Mike might have the opportunity to redo a game with a friends. Let's pray that this works out for him, and it will lead to more opportunities.
- Pray for Kitty's SIL Eric: one of Eric’s circuits was not closed. The surgeon says that this has never happened before and so he has to go back yet again Thursday and get another incision to connect the circuit so that he all can be programmed. UPDATE FROM KITTY: Eric got a job!! Hallelujah! Thank for praying, friends!
- Please continue to pray for our military and military families.
- Continue to pray for Carla's son Sam and the 157th! UPDATE: Sam will be leaving for training in Louisiana May 23rd for 5 weeks.
- Pray for leadership in our country, leaders who will care about America and Americans above global interests.
- Also, let's pray for Christian leadership on college campuses. Pray that evil intent with the demonstrations will be thwarted.
- Please pray for our daughter Shanley Belle. She is facing a very scary health crisis. We are all very upset. Trip has tried to be strong and comforting. He is truly a prince among men!
Have a beautiful week, Prayer Warriors!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! Sorry I'm late posting this morning. We were up and down all night because severe storms kept disrupting our sleep. The thunder was bad enough, but also our phone notifications kept blasting throughout the night. Then this morning I had my annual visit with one of my specialists, you know, the one all women just love (ha ha)...
Anyway....all is good, and we didn't sustain any storm damage in our neighborhood, although North Alabama was hit pretty hard this go around with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
This week's devotion was entitled "affectionate grace." I thought this was one of the most difficult devotions because Ann is writing from a very dark place. In one thousand gifts, I've picked-up on several tragedies she and her family have suffered, and she does write from a place of raw emotion and truth. I get a sense from reading her book that although she is secure in her knowledge of Christ's love and forgiveness, I'm not certain she has been able to forgive herself. Christ forgives, and we need to do the same. That doesn't mean we live without regrets, but regret is much easier to live with than guilt. Just my two cents' worth.
Here is this week's scripture:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.~Ephesians 5:30 (KJV)“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little”... And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”~Luke 7:47, 50 (ESV)I made you very numerous, like plants of the field. Then you grew up, became tall and reached the age for fine jewelry; your breasts were formed and your hair had grown. Yet you were naked and bare.“Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My garment over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine,” declares the Lord God. “Then I bathed you with water, washed off your blood from you, and anointed you with oil.”~Ezekiel 16:7-9 (NASB)
I wanted to share with you a peony that was part of a table runner for a party. It's a Jumbo Shirley Temple, and I hope it brightens your day like it did mine!
Prayer Requests
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job. AI has taken away many jobs in his industry. Mike might have the opportunity to redo a game with a friends. Let's pray that this works out for him, and it will lead to more opportunities.
- Pray for Kitty's SIL Eric's continued recovery from surgery. Also pray for her daughter as her responsibilities have increased while Eric recovers. UPDATE: Eric got laid off last week along with everyone in his office. He gets a tiny severance and two weeks pay. He does get insurance through May. Kitty says that her daughter Molly continues to remain positive. She is a rockstar! Let's pray that he will find an even better job, a better fit for him. Let's pray boldly!
- Please continue to pray for our military and military families.
- Continue to pray for Carla's son Sam and the 157th! UPDATE: Sam will be leaving for training in Louisiana May 23rd for 5 weeks.
- Pray for leadership in our country, leaders who will care about America and Americans above global interests.
- Also, let's pray for Christian leadership on college campuses. Pray that evil intent with the demonstrations will be thwarted.
- PRAISE: Our son-in-law Christopher graduates today after earning his MBA. It's a special one for physicians. He was worked so hard the past couple of years earning it, and we're so proud of him!
Please email me if I've missed or left out any requests!
I'm off to make myself a macchiato.
Have a lovely weekend!
Charge your phones in case of the forecasted CME's (coronal mass ejections). Hopefully it will be a big nothing-burger!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Spiraea japonica
"Gumball"
Happy Monday, Friends!
I hope you had a fun weekend. :D What did you do? We mostly gardened and planted a bunch of cascading vincas in pots.
This is the title of this week's devotion.
I have not read this week's lesson yet. I'm in the middle of a six weeks class at church, so I'm going to read our lesson and my other lessons as soon as this post is live.
Below is this week's scripture:
And then I’ll marry you for good—forever!I’ll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness.Yes, I’ll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go.You’ll know me, God, for who I really am.~Hosea 2:19-20 (MSG)
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job. AI has taken away many jobs in his industry. Mike might have the opportunity to redo a game with a friends. Let's pray that this works out for him, and it will lead to more opportunities.
- Pray for Kitty's SIL Eric's continued recovery from surgery. Also pray for her daughter as her responsibilities have increased while Eric recovers. UPDATE: Eric got laid off this week along with everyone in his office. He gets a tiny severance and two weeks pay. He does get insurance through May. Kitty says that her daughter Molly continues to remain positive. She is a rockstar! Let's pray that he will find an even better job, a better fit for him. Let's pray boldly!
- Please continue to pray for our military and military families.
- Continue to pray for Carla's son Sam and the 157th!
- Pray for leadership in our country, leaders who will care about America and Americans above global interests.
- Also, let's pray for Christian leadership on college campuses. Pray that evil intent with the demonstrations will be thwarted.
- I have an unspoken request.
Have a blessed week!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! And welcome, Sweet Month of May! Once we get past the communist holiday of May 1st, I love May. Yesterday was my birthday, and I've been celebrating all week. I also have a few fun events planned for today and tonight! :D Yesterday was also National Day of Prayer in the United States. Tomorrow is May the Fourth Be With You for all my nerdy friends, and Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12th. (I'm expecting BIG THINGS *ha ha* )
Did you know that the National Day of Prayer is a law? Also, did you hear about the new legislature that was passed by Congress, the anti-Semitism bill? On the surface, it sounds like a great idea. However, the bill uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism which includes:
What I think is really sad about the whole issue is that few people are talking about how Jesus willingly gave up his life for us:
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.~Luke 23:46
Christ waited until all prophecy about his crucifixion and death was fulfilled. He chose his moment to die; he was obedient to His Father until His death.
Sorry about my soapbox, but I think this legislation is upsetting because our legislators were too lazy to write their own definition of ant-Semitism rather than cutting and pasting a foreign entity's definition. We need a bill and law that will not infringe on Christians' First Amendment Rights.
This is the title for this week's devotion
Don't think that this week's lesson was lost on me, especially since it just happened to be the week of my birthday. This lesson is so, so sweet....and this is my favorite quote:
The way to learn to number our days is to count the moments of His grace.~p. 125
AMEN!
Here's a reminder of our scripture:
Prayer Requests
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job. AI has taken away many jobs in his industry. Mike might have the opportunity to redo a game with a friends. Let's pray that this works out for him, and it will lead to more opportunities.
- Pray for Kitty's SIL Eric's continued recovery from surgery. Also pray for her daughter as her responsibilities have increased while Eric recovers. UPDATE: Eric got laid off this week along with everyone in his office. He gets a tiny severance and two weeks pay. He does get insurance through May. Kitty says that her daughter Molly continues to remain positive. She is a rockstar! Let's pray that he will find an even better job, a better fit for him. Let's pray boldly!
- Please continue to pray for our military and military families.
- Continue to pray for Carla's son Sam and the 157th!
- Pray for leadership in our country, leaders who will care about America and Americans above global interests.
- Also, let's pray for Christian leadership on college campuses. Pray that evil intent with the demonstrations will be thwarted.
Have a wonderful weekend, and be a blessing to someone today!
Y'all are truly blessings to me.
:D
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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